Page:Don Coronado through Kansas.djvu/327

31C A MODEL MAN. the King in regard to the females of Quivira. He said they resembled Moorish women. Ah, that word "Moorish" set the blood of Alonso boiling, for it more than ever brought thoughts of his Moorish loved one in Salmanica; but there was a Uttle solace for the man, as he knew they -were now turned toward New Spain, which he was longing to reach so as to get word from her, and this kept him brave and n^anly in resisting temptations, which were many. One thing which helped Alonso to shake off his frequent "blue spells" was his resolve to outdo himself in displaying his proficiency in horsemanship, if called upon for any demonstration, and he felt sure that the natives will not be content until they witness the wonderful things reported of the strangers. The chief has already been notified that only three days can be spared for the stay, and everything is in a bustle preparing for the entertainment; in fact, all kinds of game have b^en snared, and many buffalo caught alive to help make up the show; several extra large wooden canoes have been made by scoop- ing out from the largest cottonwood trees a solid boat without a seam or crack. The officers had frequently conversed about how they were to entertain the citizens of the City of the Twenty-four, and not desiring to repeat the program were somewhat handicapped in trying to originate something new, fo each was requested to make sut- gestions. Alonso volunteered to make one, to give an exhibition of skill in horsempijship; this he agreed to do, because he knew that his beloved horse had been recp'vinjr a good measure o' nice new corn, and